Lyndonville, VT - Northern Vermont University-Lyndon rallied from a five point deficit in the final minute to pull out an 81-77 North Atlantic Conference men's basketball victory over SUNY Canton on Saturday afternoon.  The win was Lyndon's second over Canton, the NAC's second place team, in two days.  The Hornets improve to 7-17 on the season and 4-9 in NAC play and keep their NAC playoff hopes alive.  The Roos fall to 14-11 overall and 10-4 in conference.

In contrast to Lyndon's 92-90 win over Canton on Friday night, Saturday's game saw offense much harder to come by for large stretches.  The game also featured 16 lead changes and nine ties, as neither tem led by more than eight points at any point.

The Hornets took a 5-0 lead just under two minutes in on a Kyle Cary (Selkirk, NY) three-pointer and a Peyton Olsen (Middeleburgh, NY) jumper.  Canton's Danny Santana responded with five quick points to tie things.  After Cary and Quran DuBois exchanged threes, the Hornets went on a 15-7 run, featuring two three-pointers from Antonio Carlisle (St. Johnsbury, VT), over the next six minutes to build a 23-15 advantage.  The Roos responded with a 12-0 run of their own, with George Nehma's basket and free throw putting Canton in front, 27-23, with 6:07 to go before halftime.

Lyndon tied things on a pair of Olsen free throws, and one free throw apiece from Zach Falkenburg (Bridgeport, NY) and Kenan Hajdarevic (St. Johnsbury, VT).  A DuBois three briefly put Canton back in front, but back to back threes from Hajdarevic gave the lead back to the Hornets.  Lyndon would take a five point advantage into halftime.

The Hornets were able to maintain their slim lead in the early minutes of the second half, until Kahdean Bennett's jumper pulled the Roos even at 41-41 with 16:18 remaining.  Following a Hornet turnover, DuBois was fouled on Canton's next possession and converted both free throws to put the visitors in front.  Carlisle put Lyndon back in front with a three on the next trip down the floor.  After Canton's Danny Santana answered with a three, Carlisle scored the next five points to give Lyndon a three point advantage.

Lyndon held on to their lead until Andrew Fitch converted two free throws to put Canton in front, 54-53, with 9:21 to go.  The teams went back and forth the next few possessions, until two Dylan Torello (Port St. Lucie, FL) free throws and another Carlisle three gave the Hornets a 63-58 margin with 7:15 to go.  At that point, Canton stepped up their defense and held the Hornets scoreless for nearly five minutes, and when Joseph Werner scored following a timeout, Canton had regained the lead with just under three minutes to go.  Falkenburg scored, was fouled, and made the free throw to put Lyndon back in front, but Santanta answered with a three pointer for Canton.  Falkenburg then knocked down a jumper, but Bennett converted two free throws, and Canton was up one with 2:07 to go.

Following a Hornet turnover, Santana drained a three to put the Roos ahead by four.  Olsen was fouled on Lyndon's next trip and made one of two free throws, but Fitch then scored inside to give Canton a 74-69 lead with 1:04 to go and set the stage for the dramatic final minute.

Following a timeout, Damon Denteh (Jamaica, NY) converted an acrobatic shot and was fouled.  He made the free throw to make it a two point game with 47 seconds left.  With 28 seconds to go, Werner found Fitch inside and Fitch converted and was fouled.  He was unable to cash in on the free throw, and Falkenburg drained a huge three five seconds later to make it a one point game with 22 seconds to go.

The Hornets fouled right away, and the Roos missed both.  Falkenburg was fouled in the battle for the rebound and went to the foul line with a chance to put the Hornets in front.  He calmly sank both attempts to make it 77-76 Hornets with 19 seconds to go.  The Hornet defense stood tall following a timeout, as Canton couldn't convert from close range and Falkenburg secured the rebound.  He made both free throws to give the Hornets a three point cushion with six seconds left.  The Hornets then fouled before Canton could get off a tying three pointer.  Juztin Chambers-Phillips made the first of two free throws, then missed the second intentionally.  However, Lyndon's Timothy Hoar (Shelburne Falls, MA) secured the rebound, was fouled, and made both attempts to clinch the win for the Hornets.

Carlisle finished with a career high 19 points on 7/10 shooting, including 5/6 from behind the arc, to lead the Hornets.  Falkenburg added 13 points and five assists and Denteh totaled ten points and four assists.  Hoar pulled down a team best nine rebounds.

Santana paced the Roos with 23 points and Fitch added 15 points and nine rebounds.  DuBois was Canton's only other double figure scorer, as he finished with ten points.  George Nehma pulled down a game high 11 rebounds and dished out five assists for the Roos.

Prior to Saturday's tip-off, Lyndon's three senior basketball players, Denteh, Hoar, and Jahleel Gabriel (Springfield, MA), were recognized for their contributions to Hornet basketball.  They were joined by family and friends.  Lyndon scoreboard operator Tyler McInnis, a December NVU-Lyndon graduate and long time student employee in the athletic department, and Canton seniors Bennett, Brandon Blaker, and Ibu Smith were also recognized.

The Hornets will close out the regular season on Tuesday evening when they travel to Northern Vermont University-Johnson.  The game will determine the final NAC playoff berth, as the Hornets and Badgers are currently tied for sixth place in the conference standings.  In addition, the game is part of the NVU President's Cup Challenge, the annual competition between the two NVU campuses to determine overall athletic superiority.  Tip-off at Johnson is scheduled for 7:30 pm.